and hostile savages who infested the country. At this time the small
pox, that disease which has proved such a terrible scourge to the
Indian, had but seldom visited him.[1]

[Footnote 1: This disease has probably been the worst enemy with which
the red man of America has had to contend. By terrible experience he
has become familiarized with its ravages, and has resorted to the most
desperate remedies for its cure. Among many tribes, the afflicted are
obliged to form camps by themselves; and, thus left alone, they die by
scores. One of their favorite remedies, when the scourge first makes
its appearance, is to plunge into the nearest river, by which they
think to purify themselves. This course, however, in reality, tends
to shorten their existence. When the small pox rages among the
Aborigines, a most unenviable position is held by their "Medicine
Man." He is obliged to give a strict account of himself; and, if so
unfortunate as to lose a chief, or other great personage, is sure
to pay the penalty by parting with his own life. The duties of the
"Medicine Man" among the Indians are so mixed up with witchcraft
and jugglery, so filled with the pretence of savage quackery, so
completely rude and unfounded as to principle, that it is impossible
to define the practice for any useful end. About five years since, a
young gentleman of scientific habits, who was attached to an exploring
party, accidentally became separated from his companions. In his
wanderings, he fell in with a band of hostile Sioux Indians, who
would quickly have dispatched him, had he not succeeded immediately
in convincing them of his wonderful powers. It so happened that this
gentleman was well informed in the theory of vaccination, and it
struck him that by impressing on the savages his skill, he might
extricate himself. By the aid of signs, a lancet and some virus, he
set himself to work, and soon saw that he had gained a reputation